[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)] [Senate] [Pages S7569-S7580] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REMEMBERING SENATOR TED STEVENS Mr. BENNETT. Madam President, today we will go to Arlington for the final ceremony with respect to our former colleague, Senator Ted Stevens. He has earned a place in Arlington by virtue of his service in the Second World War, but he has earned a place in the hearts of all of us who worked with him, and like my colleagues I want to take the opportunity to say a few words about Senator Stevens. Senator Stevens was something of a character. He would wear his Hulk tie. He would cultivate his reputation as an irascible fighter, and he always had a twinkle in his eye when he did it. But there was some truth to it. I remember the first time he took over as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He gathered us together and he, speaking of his predecessor, Mark Hatfield, said: Mark Hatfield was a saint. He was filled with patience. You could talk to him at length, and he was always willing to defer. He was always willing to put off until you could get to the right solution. Mark Hatfield was a saint. I am not. We are going to get this thing done, and we are going to get it done on time. I am impatient, and I am going to make sure that the things go in the way they should. We all chuckled at that. We did, indeed, enjoy Mark Hatfield. But the point I want to make today is that behind that facade that Senator Stevens liked to put up was a very serious legislator and a very superior human being. Ted Stevens was always accessible. No matter what your problem was, you could go to him and he would listen to you. I discovered that when we were working on funding for the Olympics. He was a great supporter of the Olympics. As a Senator from Utah, when we were holding the Olympics I not only got his support, but I got his advice and his help. He was always accessible. He was always prepared. If you went to Ted Stevens, you wouldn't catch him by surprise on anything. He was always engaged. He didn't have to have the staff bring him up to speed; he had to have an understanding of the issues himself. Perhaps most importantly, Ted Stevens was always open to new ideas. I was chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and would talk about the economy to the conference as a whole and would be surprised how many times Ted Stevens would come up to me after and have some new idea about the economy or some new source he had come across he would recommend to me. Even after he had left the Senate when I would run into him in a social situation, Ted would say, You ought to get your staff looking at--and then he would fill in the blank with information of what it was he had found out. Ted Stevens served in the highest tradition of this body. It was an honor and a privilege and a learning experience for me to be able to serve with him. On this day, he takes his final resting place in Arlington. I join with my colleagues in paying tribute to him, not just as a Senator but as a superior human being and a great friend. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Texas. Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, I rise to salute my former colleague Ted Stevens who will be laid to rest in Arlington today. He earned the right to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, having served in World War II. That is one of the things that hasn't been talked about as much regarding Ted Stevens because he was a remarkable Senator and has a remarkable history with his State of Alaska as well as in the Senate. Ted Stevens served here for 40 years. From the very beginning, Ted was Alaska's greatest champion. He helped found his State. He pushed through Alaska statehood and worked tirelessly to serve its unique needs for his entire life and continued to be its greatest advocate. Nine years after he helped establish Alaska's statehood, he was elected to serve in the Senate. He spent the next 40 years building his State from an undeveloped territory, which Alaska was, to one of our Nation's most important energy producers, along with the other things Alaska gives to our great Nation. It is a testament to Ted Stevens' mighty efforts and his love for his native land. Alaska and every other State was helped by Ted Stevens. Everyone knows he took care of Alaska because he fought ferociously, but he also helped every other Senator represent their States and the priorities of their States, and that was one of the great things about this man. In particular, when he went on the Appropriations Committee and later was its chairman as well as the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, he devoted himself to protecting our troops, to making sure they had the right equipment to do the jobs we ask them to do. Of course, he was a man of the military. He was so proud of his air service. He was a man who had flown in World War II. I visited the World War II Memorial to Americans in Great Britain with Ted Stevens, and he walked around all of the old airplanes and talked about the airplanes that were there and the ones he had flown and the ones that were new. There was an excitement about that, in his 80s--all the memories of his World War II time. When someone would say to me, How do you get along with Ted Stevens, I would always say Ted Stevens is a man who is all bark and no bite. This was a man who had this Incredible Hulk tie and he would frown and he would look ferocious. He was so tender underneath. He wanted to help people. He wanted to make sure people did the right thing. He had a passion, he did, but he was so good underneath. [[Page S7570]] Back in 1993, when I first entered the Senate, I was one of seven women Senators. I would say there was not another woman on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee--my colleague Barbara Mikulski was on the committee--but I wanted to be on the Defense Subcommittee and I told Ted Stevens, We have more Army retirees in Texas than any other State. We have great Army bases as well as Air Force bases in Texas. I want to be on the Defense Subcommittee. He helped me get there. It made a difference in my capability to serve my State and my Nation. I traveled once with Ted Stevens and Danny Inouye to Saudi Arabia for our work on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. I was told later that Ted Stevens was actually discouraged by our Saudi host from bringing me with the delegation because I was a woman. Ted Stevens never told me this until later. He said, No way am I going to keep a member of my subcommittee and my committee off this trip she deserves to go on, and that was it. I was part of the delegation. I visited our air base there with all of the other Members. I participated in every meeting and every event during that trip. Ted Stevens and Danny Inouye together would have it no other way. Let me mention the relationship between Danny Inouye and Ted Stevens. Ted Stevens and Danny Inouye were the chairman and ranking member of the Commerce Committee, but they never referred to each other as ranking member. They were always chairman and vice chairman. It went back and forth. When Democrats were in charge, Danny Inouye would be the chairman of a committee and Ted would be the vice chairman. If Republicans were in the majority, it would be Ted who was the chairman and the vice chairman would be Danny Inouye, because they were World War II soulmates. Danny Inouye--who is now the chairman of the Appropriations Committee and another great patriot for our country, hailing from Hawaii, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his great service in World War II--and Ted were inseparable friends and called each other soul brothers. Another Ted story: One day during the markup in the Senate Appropriations Committee, Ted grew very animated, as he did on issues, and when another Senator said, Mr. Chairman, there is no reason for you to lose your temper, Ted glared back and said, I never lose my temper. I know exactly where it is. Those who knew him best knew his compassionate heart. There is a wonderful article this morning in Politico, one of the newspapers on Capitol Hill, and it talks about his time. Again, another Ted story, World War II: He was very close to the Chinese, because he flew missions into China. One of the things he did was fly supplies to GEN Claire Chennault's Flying Tiger air bases in China. He escorted Anna Chennault on her first trip back to China in 1981 when Stevens himself had just remarried and was on his honeymoon with Catherine. ``We went on our honeymoon there with Anna Chennault'', said Catherine Stevens, laughing. ``Everybody kept sending tips that Ted Stevens is on his honeymoon with Anna Chennault.'' Then Catherine said, ``And that was technically true.'' This is another side of this wonderful man that we are going to bury today with all of the tributes and accolades he deserves at Arlington National Cemetery. We will miss this great man, this great patriot, this great Alaskan, this great American, and this great friend to every one of us here. Thank you, Madam President. I yield the floor. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Tennessee. Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, Senator Collins is next in order, but she has kindly given me a few minutes to make my remarks, and I wish to thank her for that. Senator Ted Stevens will be remembered as a patriot who flew the first cargo plane into Peking, as it was then called, at the end of World War II, and helped create and then serve the 49th State for a half a century. I have often thought that some day I should write a book about Senators--not about their gossip or their secrets--but about the things others don't know about the people we work with: About Jim Inhofe's flight around the world; about Ben Nighthorse Campbell's jewelry; about Barack Obama's and Mel Martinez's boyhood; about Jim Bunning's pitches. All of these things have nothing to do with politics. I always wanted to start with Ted Stevens. Some day I think I will write this book, including about how he flew a cargo plane into Peking at the end of World War II. It says a lot about the kind of life he led afterwards. No one did more to create Alaska as a State. He worked at the Interior Department for several years, writing speeches, lobbying, doing all kinds of things to cause it to happen. Then he served that State for nearly a half century in the best manner of the greatest generation. He had a broad view. He and Senator Inouye led a trip, along with several of us, to China in 2006, a delegation of Senators. We were better received than if they had been the President and Vice President of the United States, because the Chinese revered Ted Stevens and honored Danny Inouye because of their service in World War II. We saw the No. 1 man in China, President Hu. We saw the No. 2 man, Mr. Wu. We saw in all parts of the country the respect they had for Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye. Senator Stevens carried that to the floor of the Senate. For example, he saw there in China what the Chinese are doing to remain competitive in the world by building up their universities, keeping their brain power advantage. He came back to this body and became a principal cosponsor of the America COMPETES Act, which helps our country do the same. Perhaps no two Senators had a closer relationship than Senator Inouye and Senator Stevens. They came from the same generation. They fought in the same war. They were both enormously brave. They treated one another as brothers. I was a young aide in the Senate when Ted Stevens was first appointed to the Senate in 1968. He was here when I came back 20 years later as the Education Secretary, and when I came back as a Senator 8 years ago, he was still here. He served longer than any other Republican Senator. He will be remembered as a great patriot and as the man who flew the cargo plane into Peking in 1944 and spent half a century creating and then serving our 49th State. I thank the Chair. I thank the Senator from Maine for her courtesy. I yield the floor. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Maine. Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, it has actually been a great pleasure to sit on the floor--and I see the Presiding Officer nodding in agreement--and hear these tributes to our friend, Senator Ted Stevens. It is, of course, with sorrow that I rise to offer these words on the tragic passing of Senator Stevens, but it is also with a sense of gratitude and fondness that I remember him and that I celebrate his dedicated service to our Nation, to his beloved State, and to the Senate. My thoughts and prayers remain with the Stevens family and with the families of the others who perished in that heartbreaking accident. In 1999, Senator Stevens was named ``Alaskan of the Century.'' It was a fitting tribute to a man who, though not Alaskan by birth, became one with every ounce of his spirit, energy, and determination. In 1953, with his heroic military service behind him and fresh out of law school, he drove from Washington, DC, to Fairbanks, AK, in the middle of the winter to begin his first job in his new profession. He soon was appointed U.S. Attorney and quickly established a reputation as a courageous and diligent prosecutor. Returning to Washington 3 years later to accept a position in the Department of the Interior, he took on the cause of Alaskan statehood as the cause of his life. In 1959, his relentless efforts were rewarded with success. He served with distinction in the brand-new Alaska State Legislature and joined the Senate 9 years later. In this city, he was known as ``Mr. Alaska.'' Back home, he was simply ``Uncle Ted.'' His devotion to his constituents in matters large and small, and in all corners of that vast State, was unsurpassed. Let me return to his military service for a moment, for I believe it offers a clear view of his character and his patriotism. In 1942, with America plunged [[Page S7571]] into war, Ted volunteered to become a Navy aviator, but was rejected due to problems with his vision. Rather than admit defeat, he embarked on a course of rigorous eye exercises and earned his way into the Army Air Corps, scoring near the top of his training class. His assignment-- to fly cargo over the towering Himalayas to the legendary Flying Tigers--was extraordinarily dangerous. His valor earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals, as well as military honors from the government of Nationalist China. As in all things, Lt. Ted Stevens let no obstacle bar his way. I was privileged to work alongside this extraordinary Senator on the Homeland Security Committee. On every issue, Senator Stevens demonstrated great knowledge and commitment to protecting our Nation and our people. As just one example, he was instrumental in passage of the SAFE Ports Act of 2006 to secure the seaports that are so essential to our Nation's prosperity and security. Alaska and Maine are separated by a great many miles, but our two States have much in common, including spectacular scenery, and rugged, self-reliant people. Our States also share a connection to the sea that is central to our history and our future. From the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976, to his work to protect marine mammals, Senator Stevens demonstrated a deep commitment to the hardworking people who sustain countless coastal communities and an abiding respect for the natural resources that bless us all. Since his passing, tributes have poured in from across America. Some serve as valuable reminders of his commitment to a broad range of interests. Olympic athletes and those who aspire to that level of achievement know that his Amateur Sports Act of 1978 brought the dream of competing on the world stage within reach of all, regardless of financial circumstances. Female athletes celebrate his support of title IX, which leveled the playing field for women in sports. Cancer survivors remember him as a champion of research, testing, and education in that dread disease. Alaska Natives and Native Americans throughout the Nation recall him as a true friend. Mr. President, 3 years ago, Ted Stevens became the longest-serving Republican in Senate history. His service has inspired many who seek to serve their States in public office. We will remember him always, and may God bless Ted and comfort his family, his friends, and those of us who were privileged to serve with him. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Udall of New Mexico). The Senator from Georgia is recognized. Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I join Senator Collins and many colleagues in paying tribute to the life and times of Senator Ted Stevens. While today we will lay his body to rest, his legacy will never be laid to rest. There has never been a more impactful Senator for their State in this country than Senator Ted Stevens. While I can tell countless stories, I wish to make two brief observations to show you the heart and soul of the effect and impact of Ted Stevens. One of my dear friends, the first Republican Senator from Georgia since Reconstruction, Mack Mattingly, from Brunswick, GA, told me not too long ago, after the passing of Senator Stevens, that when he first came to the Senate in 1981, Stevens was the first man to reach out to him, to help him, and to show him the way. I said: Mack, that is interesting, because when I was elected 6 years ago and I came to the Senate, the first man to offer a hand of leadership and help show me the way was Senator Ted Stevens. Ted was a consummate Senator, a ferocious fighter for the State of Alaska, and a proud patriot of the United States of America. He may have been small in stature, but he was a giant in ability. I always loved when we debated ANWR on the Senate floor--whether to drill. He wanted to drill. The people of Alaska wanted to drill. Every day that amendment was going to come up, you knew it because he had his Incredible Hulk tie on and was ready for the fight--not in an adversarial way or in a fistfight way but in a pride way, fighting for what was right for Alaska. Today, we will lay Senator Stevens to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, but his legacy will live on as a consummate fighter for his State and a lover of this great country. As I have said in my stories about Senator Mattingly and myself, Ted was a mentor to those who came to the Senate to serve. May God bless the life, the times, and the family of Senator Ted Stevens. Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, it was just about two years ago that many of us came to the floor to say goodbye to one of our good friends. Ted Stevens was leaving the Senate and returning home to his beloved Alaska. He had earned his retirement many times over. At last there would be time to do the things that he always enjoyed-- fishing, spending more time with his family, and being with the people of Alaska who hold him in such high esteem and affection. He was known throughout the State as Uncle Ted. Now we are gathered again to reflect on Ted Stevens and his life, but this time we are here to say a final farewell as we mourn his loss. On reflection, nothing says more about the way he lived his life than to speak of his loss at the age of 86 with the feeling that he was taken from us all too soon. Ted's life was a great, grand and glorious adventure, and he filled every day of it to the brim as he pursued anything and everything that interested him or moved him to action. The strength of his character and his love of his country saw him through his military service. His determination to succeed and his commitment to getting a good education helped him through college and then through law school as he worked to obtain the skills and the knowledge he knew he would need to be successful in whatever he chose to do in life. For all who knew him, Ted's ultimate legacy can be summed up in one word--statehood. That was his first and most powerful calling, and his successful effort to make Alaska a State left its mark on our country and our flag--a distinction that will ensure that Ted will always be remembered. Although it was a remarkable achievement, the idea of making Alaska a State wasn't a new idea when Ted got a hold of it. It had been talked about for some time, but it wasn't going anywhere because the proposal needed something more to get the ball rolling--it needed a champion who would fight for it--someone who could develop a strategy that would make the impossible dream of the people of Alaska come true. That individual was Ted Stevens. Ted practically ran the effort from start to finish as soon as he arrived in Washington. He had a plan, and he put it into operation. It produced a groundswell of support that became so powerful there was just no stopping it. Soon President Eisenhower had signed the necessary legislation and Alaska had become our 49th State. For most people, that would have been enough. But it wasn't enough for Ted. Ted didn't know what life had in store for him, but he knew where he would be taking the next steps in his life--back home in Alaska. After a series of twists and turns, Ted became one of Alaska's Senators. He was a tremendously effective Senator, and his reputation grew over the years as a tireless worker who wouldn't take no for an answer when it involved one of his State's priorities. Ted and I were able to forge a good working relationship and a friendship that meant a lot to us both. We understood each other and more often than not, we supported each other's legislative priorities. Wyoming is a lot like Alaska, so that may explain why Ted and I got along so well. Wyoming is a large State with a relatively small population. So is Alaska. Wyoming is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. So is Alaska. The people who call our States their home are strong, independent and proud--proud of their past, confident of their future, and well aware of how blessed they are to be Americans. I think that comes from the placement of our States. It took people with a sense of adventure and a willingness to put up with a great deal of difficulty and an abundance of hardship to travel the miles it took for them to get to Wyoming and later to travel North to Alaska. In the years to come, whenever I remember the days I spent with Ted, I will think of the words of the old adage that reminds us that the most important inheritance we receive from our [[Page S7572]] friends, family and those we care about is found in the memories we will always carry with us of the special days we shared with them. For me, I will always remember the times I spent away from the Senate doing what Ted and I most loved to do: enjoying the great outdoors with a fishing rod in our hands. If you are from Wyoming or Alaska, I do not think you can find a bad fishing spot anywhere in those two States. That is how Ted got a lot of us to his beloved Alaska year after year. He was always talking about his Kenai Tournament and the chance it gave everyone to see the sights of Alaska and get a little break from the rigors of the Senate. It was a great fishing tournament, but it was also a chance for us to help Ted raise some needed funds that were used to improve the habitat of the salmon that had the good sense to live there. God must have needed a good man. I know we all miss Ted. When he wore his Hulk tie, you knew things were about to happen and happen fast. This memory makes it feel like he is never far away. Diana joins in sending our sympathy to Catherine and all his family. The Stevens family can be very proud of the difference they made together over the years and of the legacy they will proudly carry of service and an unwillingness to ever think any task is impossible, no matter how difficult the struggle. I cannot help but think God needed someone with Ted's abilities to have taken him from us. I take some comfort in the knowledge that Ted was doing those things he dearly loved right up to the end. He was flying around his beloved Alaska and heading to a lodge to catch up on a little fishing when his plane went down. In the days to come, whenever I am with my grandson and we both look up at the sky with the awe and wonder it inspires, I will remember the words of the Eskimo proverb that speaks to the reason why the beautiful lights in the sky shine so brightly at night. As legend goes: Perhaps they are not stars but, rather, openings in heaven, where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know that they are happy. I do not know if there is fishing in heaven, but if there is, I know Ted must be up there somewhere waiting patiently for a nibble and the chance to reel in another prize winner. I can almost see him there, fishing rod in hand and a smile on his face. If that is what heaven has brought to Ted, I have no doubt he will be happy forever because it does not get any better than that. Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to laud the life and work of the Honorable Ted Stevens, Senator from Alaska. Ted was a fellow World War II veteran and my partner in the Senate who fought hard on behalf of Alaska and this great Nation. When it came to policy, we disagreed more often than we agreed, but we were never disagreeable with one another. We were always positive and forthright. We shared a bond in that we believed it was our mission to ensure that Hawaii and Alaska were not forgotten by the lower 48 and our efforts were constant reminders of the economic and international importance of the Pacific. Our beloved Ted was much more than the Senator of Alaska, much more than a fighter and an advocate and an example of what bipartisan effort can accomplish. Ted was a father, grandfather, and loving husband who put his family before everything else. We have lost a great man, and I join my colleagues in mourning his passing. Mr. President, recently in meeting with the Librarian of Congress, Dr. James H. Billington, our chat focused upon Senator Ted Stevens. I learned that on August 14, 2010, Dr. Billington had written a special tribute to Senator Ted Stevens. Yesterday, I received a copy of this tribute and I wish to share it with my colleagues. Our beloved Ted was much more than the Senator of Alaska, much more than a fighter and a brilliant parliamentarian. This tribute says something about him and his impact on Alaska and the world. I thank Dr. Billington for his heartfelt tribute to our great friend and colleague. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have Dr. Billington's tribute printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: A Tribute to Senator Ted Stevens (By James H. Billington, The Librarian of Congress, Aug. 14, 2010) Just a few years ago, at the end of a particularly exhausting week in the Senate, Ted Stevens took an overnight flight to open a Library of Congress exhibit for the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. He insisted that I take his comfortable seat on the way over; and he flew back rapidly-- leaving me well-rested for follow-up and the Russians in awed admiration of his age-defying journey to a distant cultural event of symbolic and even political importance. This small memory came back to me just a year ago when I was back again in St. Petersburg. I was waiting to speak after Russian President Medvedev at the dedication ceremony of a great Petersburg palace that had been refashioned into the central building of a new library system for Russia modeled in many ways on the Library of Congress. I think my subconscious was reminding me that neither I nor the Library would probably have been in the picture without the varied ways that Ted Stevens quietly helped the Congress' library undertake new initiatives for our country--during and beyond his many years as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress. Senator Stevens played a key role in bringing into being within the legislative branch of government three important innovations for sustaining long-term American leadership in the world. Each of them had from the beginning bipartisan, bicameral support, and have been implemented in cooperative collaboration with the executive and judicial branches. 1. He championed a special $2 million grant to the Library in 1999 to create a bi-lingual, online library of primary documents comparing the parallel experiences of Russia and America as continent-wide, multi-ethnic nations. This visionary, one-time appropriation (which we had not requested in our budget submission) enabled the Library to attract unprecedented in-kind support from 36 Russian repositories and to put online three-quarters of a million rare Russian items. This experience has helped equip us more recently to launch a multi-lingual World Digital Library with private support and the endorsement of UNESCO. 2. Senator Stevens was an early advocate and continuous supporter of The Open World Leadership Program, the first international people-to-people exchange ever created and administered within the legislative branch of our government. For eleven years it has enabled more than 15,000 emerging young leaders from Russia and other states of the former USSR to experience democratic governance in action in local communities across America. Senator Stevens was and remained active and engaged as the Honorary Chairman of its Board of Trustees. 3. At a very busy time late in the year 2000, Senator Stevens devoted an entire Saturday to discussing at his home the national need for preserving important information that was increasingly available only in highly perishable digital form. He proceeded to take the lead in creating the still ongoing National Digital Information and Infrastructure Preservation Program that has enabled the Library of Congress to work with 170 partner repositories throughout America to conserve immense amounts of digital material. Ted Stevens rarely mentioned and never stressed his own role in any of these programs. He repeatedly and rightly credited the contributions of other colleagues and of the Congress itself. He was respectful and supportive of those in public service implementing these and many other long-range national programs. At this sad time, all of us at the Library specially and gratefully remember his help in creating unique and challenging new programs within America's oldest federal cultural institution. I mourn the passing of a deeply admired friend. He was an unforgettable man of action and a dedicated public servant--not just for his beloved Alaska, but for all of America and our long-term future in a changing world. Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, on the morning of Tuesday, August 10, in Alaska, in Washington, and around the world, time seemed to stand still. It was then we received word that a floatplane carrying our beloved Senator Ted Stevens had gone down in the remote Bristol Bay region of western Alaska. Senator Stevens traveled to that area, as he did practically each summer for decades, to pursue one of his dearest passions--fishing. Along with Senator Stevens on that flight were several of his closest friends. Sean O'Keefe, the former Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Jim Morhard, who came to the Senate in 1983 as an aide to Senator Pete Wilson of California and retired in 2005 as chief of staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Bill Phillips, a distinguished Washington lawyer and former chief of staff to Senator Stevens was on the flight; as was Dana Tindall, one of [[Page S7573]] Alaska's best and brightest who made a career of bringing 21st century telecommunications technology to our vast territory. Three of their children were on the trip as well: Sean's son Kevin, Bill's son Willy, and Dana's daughter Corey. The pilot was Theron ``Terry'' Smith, an accomplished aviator who retired as chief pilot after 25 years with Alaska Airlines in Anchorage. When it became apparent that the floatplane was overdue en route to a remote fishing camp, a massive search was quickly mobilized. The wreckage was located and, thankfully, there were survivors. Sean and his son Kevin, Jim Morhard and Willy Phillips survived the crash. We pray for their swift and full recovery. At the same time our hearts dropped at the news that the crash claimed the lives of Senator Stevens, Bill Phillips, Dana Tindall, her daughter Corey, and pilot Terry Smith. At a later time I will have more to say about the distinguished careers of Bill Phillips, Dana Tindall, and Terry Smith, as well the lost promise of Corey Tindall, a champion debater at South High School in Anchorage and an aspiring doctor. I will also have more to say about the heroes that responded to the crash site. That story begins with the Good Samaritan pilots who located the wreckage, Dr. Dani Bowman, and local first responders who were brought in by helicopter--they cared for the survivors and the dead in poor weather through a long night awaiting rescue--the elite Alaska National Guard and Coast Guard search and rescue teams that accomplished the rescue, the medical teams in Anchorage that tended to the survivors. Today, I would like to devote a few moments in memory of my mentor, a man who stands tall among our Senate family as one of the truly great Senators of all time, my dear friend, Ted Stevens. It would take days and days to enumerate all of Senator Stevens' accomplishments in this body over the course of 40 years. The Senate began the process of chronicling Senator Stevens' place in history in S. Res. 617, which was enacted on August 12. Our colleagues will fill in the details in the coming days. Let me digress for a moment and extend my deepest appreciation, and that of the Stevens family, to our colleagues and the staff--all of those who pulled out the stops--to ensure that S. Res. 617 could be enacted during a brief lull in the recess. The resolution was presented to the Stevens family following the funeral in Anchorage. It was well received. So how to summarize the remarkable career of Ted Stevens in a few moments. Ted Stevens was the longest serving Republican in the Senate's history. He served as President pro tempore and President pro tempore emeritus. He was the assistant Republican leader. At various points during his career he chaired the Appropriations Committee, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee on Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Rules and Administration, and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He was involved in numerous other leadership roles. He was a dear, dear friend of our men and women in uniform. In the early 1970s he helped to bring an end to the draft and encouraged the All Volunteer military force. He worked diligently to ensure that service members were compensated fairly, that their benefits were not eroded, and that they received the best health care. A family man always, he was deeply concerned about the length of time that service members were separated from their families. And when service members returned from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from PTSD and TBI, he ensured that funds were shifted from lower defense priorities to address these immediate concerns. He used his key position on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to make this all happen. During his more than 40 years in the Senate he traveled to visit with service members on the battlefield. He visited Vietnam, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. On those trips he spent time with those in the lowest ranks, asking whether they had the right equipment, how the food was, and how their families back home were coping. Although he will long be remembered as a tireless advocate for the responsible development of Alaska's abundant natural resources, his friends and even his foes readily admit that he leaves a substantial conservation legacy. He was key to the compromise that led to the enactment of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, a leader in fishery conservation through the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act. He was a champion of the Olympic movement, a champion of physical fitness, a champion of amateur athletics. He played a significant role in ensuring that female athletes could compete on a level playing field with their male counterparts. He was one of the best friends public broadcasting could possibly have in Washington. He championed family friendly policies for America's civil servants. These are some of his legacies to the Nation. But to many Alaskans he was known simply as ``Uncle Ted.'' And it was not just for the Federal dollars he brought to the State of Alaska, the energy facilities, hospitals and clinics, roads, docks, airports, water and sewer facilities, schools and other community facilities, although these were substantial. The Almanac of American Politics observed, ``No other Senator fills so central a place in his state's public and economic life as Ted Stevens of Alaska; quite possibly no other Senator ever has.'' Truth be told, Ted Stevens was known as Uncle Ted because so many Alaskans viewed him as a friend of their own Alaskan families. Alaskans treasure the photographs and the letters that Senator Stevens sent them. Some of those photographs and letters were decades old, yet treasured keepsakes. He gave Alaska's young people an opportunity to intern in Washington, inspiring many careers in public service. I am proud to be one of those interns. He hired many young Alaskans, once they graduated college, as junior staff members. He encouraged the best to go to law school and then brought them back as legislative assistants and committee staff. Many went on to accomplish great things in their chosen fields. In the aftermath of Senator Stevens' death, hundreds upon hundreds of Alaskans lined the streets of Anchorage bearing signs that read, ``Thank you, Ted'' as his funeral procession drove by. Makeshift memorial services were conducted in Alaska's Native villages. Why did Ted Stevens' loss shake Alaska so hard? The answer is simple. For generations of Alaskans he had been their Senator for life. Ted Stevens became Alaska's Senator less than 10 years after Alaska was admitted to statehood. I was 11 years old when he first came to the Senate. In so many respects, his elevation to the Senate in 1968 was the culmination of a career of service to Alaska that began in the 1950s. It was, if you will, his second career of service to the people of Alaska. Ted's first career began when he was named the U.S. attorney in Fairbanks. In a 2002 speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives, Ted recalled that this position gave him the opportunity to carry out President Eisenhower's commitment to equal rights for everyone. He traveled throughout the area requesting business owners to take down signs that read, ``No Natives Allowed.'' Ted then moved to Washington to serve as legislative counsel in the Interior Department. He played a key role in the enactment of the legislation that admitted Alaska as America's 49th State. He helped draft that section of the Alaska Statehood Act which committed the Federal Government to the settlement of the Alaska Native land claims. After leaving the Interior Department he opened a law practice in Anchorage. Among his clients was the Native Village of Minto. The State of Alaska was about to select Minto's traditional lands in advance of a land claims settlement. Senator Stevens took on Minto's case pro bono. He invited Alaska Native leaders to his home to explore strategies for a more comprehensive settlement of Alaska Native land claims. [[Page S7574]] Ted Stevens could not have guessed at that point that he would join the U.S. Senate and have the opportunity to make the dreams of Alaska's Native peoples a reality. That was the first order of business when Ted came to the Senate. He began work on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1969 and on December 18, 1971, the dream that Alaska's Native people would hold title to their ancestral lands became a reality. This December marks the 39th anniversary of the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act--ANCSA. That landmark legislation returned some 44 million acres of land to Alaska's Native people and created the regional and village Alaska Native Corporations. ANCSA led to a resurgence in Native pride and self-confidence. It gave our Native people unparalleled opportunities to lead. It has proven a valuable legacy for the continuation of Alaska Native culture through the generations. Senator Stevens played a significant role in bringing Alaska's Native people together to create today's great institutions of Indian self- determination. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Southcentral Foundation, which together operate the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, are just two examples. The Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska's only certified level II trauma center, has earned national recognition for the quality of its nursing care. It is connected through innovative telemedicine technology to regional Native medical centers in rural Alaska and clinics at the village level. None of this would be possible without Senator Stevens' leadership. Senator Stevens deplored the Third World conditions that stubbornly persisted in rural Alaska, threatening the health of Native children. He helped build showers and laundromats in rural Alaska--we call them washeterias--and he helped construct water and sewer facilities so that our Native people did not have to haul their waste to an open dump site. I am sad to say that this work is far from done. There is that last 25 percent or so that remains to be done. It is often said that a society is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable members. It is appropriate that we judge the character of our elected officials in the same manner. In Alaska, our Native people are the most vulnerable. For decades, Alaska's most vulnerable people have had no better friend than Ted Stevens. As I noted in my response to Ted's farewell speech on November 20, 2008, ``When I think of all of the good things, the positive things that have come to Alaska in the past five decades I see the face and I see the hands of Ted Stevens in so many of them.'' Not just in rural Alaska but throughout Alaska I think of Senator Stevens whenever an F-22 takes flight from Elmendorf Air Force Base. I think of him when I drive through the front gate of Eielson Air Force Base, which was spared from the 2005 BRAC round largely through his leadership. His face is in the new VA Regional Clinic in Anchorage and in the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in the Mat-Su Valley. I think of Ted when I am fishing on the Kenai River and all of his efforts to help with conservation and restoration of this world class river. These are just a few of Senator Stevens' contributions to Alaska. There is so much more. At the close of his farewell remarks to the Senate, our friend Ted, told us that he had two homes: ``One in this Chamber, the other his beloved State of Alaska.'' He closed his remarks with the phrase, ``I must leave one to return to the other.'' How prophetic. For on the afternoon of August 9, a cold and gloomy day, yet the kind of day when fishing is great, the Lord called our friend Ted Stevens from Alaska to yet a third home. Ted's departure leaves a tremendous hole in the hearts of the people of Alaska, a hole in the collective hearts of his Senate family, and a hole in my heart that will take a long time to heal. On behalf of a grateful Senate and a grateful American people, I extend condolences to Ted's wife Catherine; to his children Susan, Beth, Ted, Walter, Ben and Lily, and to all of the grandchildren. As our friend, the late Senator Robert Byrd, knew and often recounted on the Senate floor--of all of the things that brought Ted Stevens joy, his family brought Ted the greatest of joys. In Ted's words, his family gave him the kind of love, support, and sacrifice which made his 40- year career in the Senate possible and gave it meaning. We thank Ted's family for sharing this remarkable man with Alaska, the Senate, and the Nation. Thank you, Ted. We will never forget you. Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, for 34 years in the Senate it was my privilege and honor to serve alongside Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska. Today, I would like to pay tribute to Ted, a dedicated public servant, a respected lawmaker, and a man I was proud to call my friend. Ted Stevens loved this country, and he dedicated nearly his entire life to public service. He served as a pilot in World War II, as a U.S. district attorney, as a senior member of the U.S. Interior Department, and as a U.S. Senator. Ted loved his State. In fact, he assisted in its birth as a State. During his more than four decades in the Senate, he was an unrelenting and unabashed advocate for Alaska and its people. I know no other Senator who has filled so central a role in their State's public and economic life as did Ted Stevens. He was a man many Alaskans knew simply as ``Uncle Ted.'' The fight for Alaskan statehood was Ted's principal work at the Department of the Interior, and, over time, he developed another appropriate nickname: ``Mr. Alaska.'' After leaving Interior, Ted returned to Alaska and was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1964. In 1968 he was appointed to the U.S. Senate, and today he remains the longest serving Republican Senator in history. In the Senate, he was a tough negotiator and a savvy legislator, but he was always fair. He was an old-school Senator, and he kept his word. During the challenging years after statehood, Ted helped transform Alaska, playing key roles shaping the State's economic and social development. A staunch defender of the Alaskan way of life, he championed legislation to protect the fishing industry, to build the Alaska oil pipeline, to protect millions of acres of wilderness area, and to address longstanding issues surrounding aboriginal land claims. While he and I have not agreed on some issues, I have never questioned his commitment to do what he believed was right for his State and its people. I know it can sound repetitive when people hear Senators make remarks such as these about our colleagues. But I think it is important for the public to know that despite all the squabbling that goes on in Washington, there is the deep respect, affection, and caring that goes on among the Senate's Members, who work side by side and day by day on the Nation's business and on the concerns of their constituents. I was last with Ted at Bob Byrd's funeral. I had asked him if he would sit with me because we had not seen each other for a while and it gave us a chance to get caught up. I told him again how much his friendship meant to me and how much I missed him in the Senate. We talked about the number of pieces of legislation we had worked on together and both spoke of Ted being part of the old school of Senators--those who always stuck with agreements they had made and our concern that was not the way some were today. It was a sad day being at a memorial service, but it was a special day being with Ted. Ted was a statesman, a public servant, and one of my closest friends in the Senate. I consider myself fortunate to have known him and served with him. Marcelle and I wish Catherine and all his family our best wishes. Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to Senator Ted Stevens, who will be laid to rest today at Arlington National Cemetery. Unfortunately, Senator Stevens was taken from us on August 9 of this year, but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched during his distinguished career in public service. Senator Stevens will be missed by so many because of the tenacity he displayed fighting for his beliefs. This began when he volunteered for the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he supplied Chinese forces as [[Page S7575]] they defended their country from Japanese invasion. For his heroism, Ted Stevens received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Senator Stevens took this same tenacity to the Senate where he served the people of Alaska for over 40 years. It is largely because of Senator Stevens that many Alaskans gained access to clean drinking water and their children received a quality education. Finally, Senator Stevens fought to create an oil pipeline that put thousands of Alaskans to work and provided affordable energy for this Nation. These accomplishments are just a sample of the many issues that Senator Stevens championed during his long career. By the time I came to the Senate in 1998, I knew Ted Stevens was an outstanding legislator, but over the next 10 years, I learned so much more that defined his character. I found that Ted Stevens was one of the most sincere members of this Chamber. No matter what the issue, I could always count on Senator Stevens to speak with frankness and honesty, two traits that are sorely lacking in the modern Senate. I also learned that despite his dedication to the Senate, he always put family first. Senator Stevens was the father to six children, and although there is over 4,000 miles that separates Alaska from our Nation's Capital, he always made time for his wife and children. I realize my words are little consolation to his wife Catherine or the rest of his family, but I hope they know Mary and I are grieving with them as they cope with the loss of this model family man. The Senate was blessed to have Ted Stevens as one of its Members. His countless accomplishments guarantee him a prominent place in the pantheon of American history. I was fortunate to have him as my colleague for over 10 years, but even luckier to have him as a friend. Mr. BOND. Mr. President, today, I rise to pay tribute to not only a giant of the Senate, a hero to Alaska, and a war hero, but also someone I counted among my valued friends, and a true mentor--Ted Stevens. When I first heard the news about Ted's death, I was shocked and saddened. Today, the loss of my dear friend is no easier to bear, and I know many of my colleagues here feel the same. Later today, we will lay to rest this giant of the Senate, but I first want to say a few words about my friend Ted. Much has been said about Senator Stevens' sometimes grouchy and intimidating demeanor. But if you took the time to look past the Hulk ties, the scowling countenance, the vigorous defense of any and all attacks on Alaskan priorities, and the cowed staff who feared they had fallen on the wrong side of the esteemed senior Senator, you saw another more compassionate--some would even say softer side. I was a lucky beneficiary of that softer side, which changed the course of my time here in Washington. When I first arrived in Washington, DC, in 1987, my son was entering first grade at the same time as Ted's beloved daughter. Sam and Lily became fast friends, and, lucky for me, so did their parents. Over the years, Ted and Catherine were very close friends of ours and like godparents to Sam. Anyone who knew Ted well knew how important his family was and the high value he placed on his children and their friends. He was truly a most kind, gentle, and readily approachable father, uncle, and godfather. His concern about others' children and family members was equally heartfelt. As he exercised his many leadership roles, Senator Stevens' was always willing to take our family obligations into account. He realized how important it is to schedule time for our families in the chaotic, hectic life we lead in the Senate. In addition to the close personal friendship I enjoyed with the Stevens family, I had the opportunity to work closely with Chairman Stevens as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. As chairman, Ted was solicitous of the concerns of even his most junior members. He was also a devoted friend of his partner--sometimes ranking member and sometimes chairman--Senator Dan Inouye. Ted was a very passionate defender of the Appropriations Committee, its prerogatives, and its responsibilities. Woe unto the person who attacked the appropriations process or the work that he had done. We could use more of that wisdom around here today. As former President pro tempore and the longest serving Republican Member of the U.S. Senate in our country's 230-year history, Ted was a faithful and dedicated leader of the Senate. But Senator Stevens' influence extended far beyond the Senate to Alaska, the Nation and the world. Many of the accomplishments of the Senate over the last 4 decades bear the mark of Ted Stevens. As a war hero himself, Ted was tireless in his leadership to secure a strong military--and funded a strong personnel system, the most needed, up-to-date equipment and the most promising research. The current strength and superiority of the U.S. Armed Forces is due in no small part to Senator Stevens. He was a leader in the natural resources, transportation issues, and climate change issues important to all of America but that particularly affect his home State. Ted was passionate about Alaska--its natural beauty, its people, its needs, and its fishing. Many of us have enjoyed traveling to Alaska with Senator Stevens and discovering firsthand the treasures it has to offer. The many roads, parks, and buildings named for him are but a hint of all he has done for the State. His contributions are extensive and lasting, from improving the infrastructure to safeguarding the wildlife and natural resources Alaska has in abundance. Alaskans rightly dubbed the Senator the ``Alaskan of the Twentieth Century.'' It was a tremendous honor and privilege to serve with Ted Stevens. Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our colleague, our friend, and a great statesman, Senator Ted Stevens. It is a somber day in the Senate Chamber as we continue to mourn his loss. Senator Stevens' service to our Nation began during his military service during World War II as a ``Flying Tiger,'' and spanned six decades. During his 41 years in the Senate, Senator Stevens has been chairman of four full committees and two select committees, assistant Republican whip, and the President pro tempore Emeritus. As one of the most effective Senators, Senator Stevens was an ardent supporter of our national defense, serving as either Chairman or Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee from 1980 to 2005. A champion of our Armed Forces, he ensured that our servicemembers have the equipment, training, and pay necessary to be prepared to take on those who threaten our national security. Senator Stevens was not only my distinguished colleague but someone I considered a friend. He was a man of purpose whose life touched all those with whom he came in contact. His commitment to the people of Alaska was remarkable, making him a legendary advocate for the State. No one has done more for Alaska than he did. His many contributions to both Alaska and our Nation will not soon be forgotten. He will be remembered as a dedicated American, World War II warrior, a public servant, and the quintessential American statesman who gave so much of his life in service to the Nation. I offer my thoughts and prayers his family and friends during this difficult time. Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and commitment of Senator Ted Stevens to the State of Alaska and to our Nation. As we all know, Ted joined the military at a young age and served his country with honor in World War II. He earned his Army Air Corps wings in 1944 and served in World War II as a member of the Flying Tigers, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Two friends of mine from Georgia who served with the Flying Tigers knew Ted during those days. When they shared with me stories of those times, they always spoke fondly of Ted. Several years ago, I attended a funeral of a family member of one of our Senate colleagues on the west coast. A few other Senators were in attendance, but not many. One of those nights we stayed up late and started talking [[Page S7576]] about life, and Ted told us he always attended the funerals of colleagues and their loved ones because when his first wife was tragically killed in a plane crash, those colleagues who took the effort to make the trip up to Alaska to attend her funeral meant so much to him. That is the type of person Ted was--he was loyal to the State of Alaska, his Nation, and to his colleagues. Ted and I also worked closely on defense issues and he was a good ally to have in those battles. He was a good friend and an esteemed colleague who served with distinction in the Senate. Ted will be remembered for his passion and his many, many years of service to his constituents. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today one of the most enduring figures in this Nation's political history and the history of this Chamber will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. For more than half a century, it was almost impossible to discuss the State of Alaska without discussing Theodore Fulton ``Ted'' Stevens. Like many, Ted Stevens came to Alaska from elsewhere, searching for opportunity to serve. Few succeed as well as he did. He was named a Federal prosecutor just months after he arrived in Alaska in 1953-- meaning his public service to Alaska predated its statehood. He was a key figure in the drive for statehood. He served in the State legislature before coming to this Chamber in 1968. Over the next four decades, he became one of the most influential Senators of the 20th century. Alaska was a young State with a small population, but that did not stop Ted Stevens from advocating forcefully and effectively on his State's behalf. He became the longest serving Republican in the history of the Senate, and the State he fought for became a huge beneficiary of his service. He was a World War II veteran and a devoted family man. History will remember him as one of those present at the founding of Alaskan statehood and a longtime servant of the State. Barbara and I know that the memory of Ted Stevens' long and full life will relieve the sadness of his family, his constituents, and his multitude of friends at his passing. Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I have just returned from the interment services for our colleague and our friend, the Senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens. I must say it should be pointed out that our Chaplain, Chaplain Black, gave a marvelous eulogy during the graveside services that was poignant, elegant, and I know in regard to helping the family with solace and poignancy, he had no equal. He simply was absolutely marvelous. He described Ted Stevens as a ``force of nature''--which I think was a rather appropriate description, depending on your description of a force of nature--and as a person who always made him laugh. Well, it is difficult to try to figure out how to eulogize a person of Ted's stature, someone who has done so many different things. So you have to sort of segment, it seems to me, your own personal relationship with Ted and do the best you can to grasp this unusual man and describe him. I was a Member of the House when I first met Ted Stevens. It was at a Republican retreat years ago. In expressing his opinion, he was obstreperous, if not outrageous, regardless of any other person's point of view. To say he was both unique and memorable is an understatement-- a force of nature, indeed, perhaps a wandering tornado, if you will, with a poststorm rainbow of ideas. I came to the Senate back in 1996. It didn't take long for Ted Stevens to burst into my--up to that point--relatively routine senatorial life. He jabbed his finger on my chest and said, ``I know who you are.'' I responded, ``Well, I sure as hell know who you are.'' He said, ``You allegedly know something about agriculture.'' I said, ``Well, thank you,'' and he interrupted and said, ``You serve on Armed Services and Intelligence?'' I said, ``That's right.'' He said, ``How would you like to go to the Russian Far East with me and Danny and some others?'' I thought to myself, Why on Earth would I want to go to the Russian Far East? He said, ``We are going to Khabarovsk, and then we are going to Vladivostok.'' But that's out there where the Cossacks went over the steppes of Russia. ``Then we are going to meet with the admiral of the Russian navy, and Vladivostok is closer to Alaska than to Moscow. I know him,'' said Ted. ``Then we are going to go to South Korea to indicate our strong support. But then we are going to be the first delegation allowed into North Korea, Pyongyang.'' Well, that got my attention. He said, ``That is why I need to have you come along, because if we can arrange a third-party grain sale, there are things that we can do in North Korea to at least establish a relationship.'' I thought, what a unique idea, using agriculture as a tool for peace, if you will--or at least a fulcrum to change the relationship with North Korea. I said, ``Well, sure, I will sign up.'' That began a personal and meaningful relationship with Ted and Catherine and their family with Franki and our family that lasted during the duration of my career in the Senate until his untimely death weeks ago. He said, ``I understand that you are a newspaper guy.'' I said, ``Yes, and?'' He said, ``You could be the scribe in regard to our CODEL.'' I might add that any CODEL you went on with Ted Stevens, you always had a T-shirt afterward saying: ``I survived CODEL Stevens.'' You could--and I did--end up at the South Pole. So I was known as the Stevens CODEL scribe. In any case, we went to Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. We talked to that admiral, who felt closer to Ted Stevens than he did his own Russian Government, and we went to Sakhalin Island. Ted was trying to work out some kind of arrangement where American oil companies could explore and develop the tremendous oil reserves there and have a contract that meant something with Russia. It was there that Flying Tiger Ted learned about saber-toothed tigers that were allegedly actually still alive in that part of the world. It is a wonder he didn't schedule a hunting trip. Then we went to South Korea and eventually into North Korea, and it was the first delegation allowed into that theocratic time warp. We left everything on the plane. We stayed at an alleged VIP headquarters--no heat, very cold, just North Korean TV with 24/7 military parades and martial music. That night the discussion had gone on and on and on. We had hoped to meet with Kim Jong Il. That was not possible, so he sent two of his propaganda puppets to meet with us. We had permission from the Treasury to waive certain requirements so that we could arrange for a third- party grain sale to assist North Korea, which goes through a famine every harvesting year. It would have been at least a start. So you had Ted and Danny Inouye, two World War II veterans, who told the North Korean delegation it was time to make Panmunjon a tourist attraction. Ted finally had it and said, ``Knock off the BS. I know you understand English. Let's get to the bottom line.'' The bottom line was that they could not do anything in terms of policy. They were there to make an intelligence estimate, and it was a lost opportunity at that particular time. The leadership effort by Ted Stevens didn't pan out, but not for the lack of trying. On another CODEL we landed at 11 and got to the hotel at about midnight. Ted was a great connoisseur of military history and movies. He was a great devotee of the series ``Band of Brothers.'' So we were playing Band of Brothers to staff and to all present. This is at 12:30 at night, going on to 1, 1:30. We had fought and died with episode five; we were going to episode six. I looked around, and all the loyal staff were asleep; all Members were still there and were asleep. I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open. I looked over at the great man, and his eyes were closed. I thought he was asleep, so I got up and started to turn off the television. As I reached for the power button, he said, ``This next part is the best part.'' He was not watching it; he was listening to it because he had seen it at least three times. Well, needless to say, we saw episode six in its entirety. Thank the Lord, we didn't go to episode seven. We would have been there all night. Some years ago, I was present for the ceremonies in Alaska when Ted was named the ``Alaskan of the Century.'' How on Earth could a sitting Senator, [[Page S7577]] or anybody, get overwhelming citizen support and approval and accolades from his State and be named ``Alaskan of the Century''? Ted did. I was there to allegedly roast him. There was a great crowd. Facts and records are stubborn things. He was and is still today the ``Alaskan of the Century.'' What he did and what he accomplished in the making of our 49th State was simply remarkable. By the way, the Federal Government still has not made good on many promises they made to Ted when he worked so hard and diligently to make Alaska a State. At any rate, he flew in, during that ceremony, on a World War II plane. He had his combat jacket. He came in with Catherine and they took their places on very posh chairs. I will quote what he said time and time again to the people of Alaska: ``The hell with politics; let's do what's good for Alaska.'' I will add this: The country and our national defense and every man and woman in uniform owe this man a great debt. When you come to this body and you come to public service, you know you risk your ideas, your thoughts, your hopes, and your dreams before the crowd. Sometimes the crowd says yes, and you have friends who will stand behind you when you are taking the bows. Then perhaps something happens in your life and you suddenly become a lightning rod for accusations; you wonder where your friends are, who will stand beside you when you are taking the boos, not the bows. The lightning rod was fast, furious, and egregious, especially considering the man, his accomplishments, and integrity. In Washington, when there is crisis and chaos and big-time problems, many are called but few are chosen. When the chips were on the table, we chose Ted. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he headed up the posse that decided the Nation's spending priorities. What a tough job. It was a tough job then, and it is even tougher today. But he did a heck of a job. For, you see, Members of Congress are a lot like someone suffering from the flu, an insatiable appetite on one end and no sense of responsibility on the other. They said: Ted, Ted, I know we have to meet our budget caps, but this program is really important to me. My program is an investment, not a cost. Somehow, someway, the chairman has to wade through all of the demands of his colleagues, try to meet the ever changing and growing needs of our Nation at an unprecedented time of economic challenge, and through all of it, then he must fulfill our obligations to guarantee our national security and to the many entitlement programs we are very reluctant to reform in this body and the other body and to which we Americans seem to think we are entitled. It is like herding cats, big cats with saber teeth, just like those up on Sakhalin Island. In the doing of this, Ted Stevens was surrounded by many colleagues good at proposing more spending on existing programs and new programs to boot and those who look at any spending increase with a gleam in their eye and the tools of a stonecutter. There are few, however, who can measure value, and that is what Ted did. Just at the time he thought he could make both ends meet in behalf of Alaska and our Nation, someone moved the chains. To his critics--and there were many--the old saying ``a penny for your thoughts'' may be a fair evaluation of their contribution. The wheels of progress are seldom turned by cranks, critics, or, in Ted's case, a howling pack of wolves. Today, both political parties are having trouble looking beyond their ideological fences. Ted Stevens was a bipartisan fence-mender while riding herd on all of the strays. How on Earth did he do this? How did he persevere throughout an ordeal that would have best the best of men? Abraham Lincoln defined duty in this way: I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me will not amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference. During Ted's memorial service in his beloved Alaska, Vice President Biden's tribute was truly eloquent, personal, and pertinent. Others spoke with equal meaning. But it was Senator Danny Inouye, his best friend, who brought thousands to their feet at this service, clapping for minutes when he said: ``We all knew he was innocent.'' So did 10 angels and those who knew him best, and I think Ted heard them both. Thank you, Catherine and Ted's family, for sharing him with us, and, as Vice President Biden said so well, we will not see the likes of him again. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I want to take a few minutes today to recognize our late colleague, Senator Ted Stevens. Ted Stevens was a fighter. He fought for his State and his country every day here in the U.S. Senate. As a former military pilot and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Senator Stevens was a champion for the military here in the Senate. And he fought for the prerogatives of this institution, sometimes taking on politically unpopular causes to make the Senate stronger. All of my colleagues will remember when Ted Stevens managed legislation. He would put on his ``Incredible Hulk'' tie, his best scowl to deter Members from offering amendments, and dare anyone to get in the way of passing his bills. Ted knew Alaska inside and out, and he did everything he could to make his State a better place for future generations of Alaskans. He recognized that in isolated, rural States the Federal Government was sometimes the only entity capable of truly transforming the lives of individuals and the prosperity of communities. And he recognized that other states sometimes faced similar circumstances. I will never forget the role Ted Stevens played during the Grand Forks flooding of 1997. The Red River overtopped the levee that year and covered most of the city, including all of downtown. And the flooding caused a major fire in the historic downtown, further devastating the community. At the time, the evacuation of Grand Forks was the largest evacuation of a city since the Civil War. In the aftermath, the city could have accepted a diminished future. It could have watched people leave and reemerged as a shadow of its former self. But it did not. The city's leaders pledged to rebuild. And the North Dakota delegation went to work here in the Congress to secure Federal assistance to help make that vision a reality. We quickly concluded that community development block grant funding would be the best source of assistance because CDBG money is very flexible and could be used to meet the city's highest priority needs. Unfortunately, the Appropriations Subcommittee chairman at the time was adamantly opposed. He simply refused to support the level of CDBG funding we badly needed. Normally, that might have been the end of the story. But in this case, Ted Stevens, the full Appropriations Committee chairman, intervened. He saw that Federal funding was absolutely critical for the community to rebuild. I think maybe he saw a city in North Dakota that needed funding just as badly as many of his Alaska communities needed Federal funding to build a brighter tomorrow. And he overruled his subcommittee chairman and made sure that Grand Forks got the CDBG funding it needed. The results have been spectacular. Grand Forks did rebuild bigger and better than ever. When some say that Federal spending is wasteful, Grand Forks is a tremendous example of how the Federal Government can make things better. So it was with profound sorrow that I learned last month that Ted Stevens had died in a plane crash on a fishing trip in his beloved State. His country owes him thanks for his long service to his Nation, both in the military and here in the Congress. The State of North Dakota and the city of Grand Forks owe him thanks for his role in bringing needed funding to projects all across our State. Lucy and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Catherine, his family, and his friends. Ted was one of a kind. We will miss him. Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, today at Arlington National Cemetery the final resting place for so many national heroes, the burial service of our friend and former distinguished colleague, Ted Stevens of Alaska, was attended by [[Page S7578]] a large number of friends. It was my honor and privilege to serve as a Member of the Senate with Ted Stevens. From him I learned the importance of hard work and seriousness of purpose that characterized his exemplary service in this body. He was energetic and tenacious, and he used those assets to accomplish so much for the people of his State. His quick wit and capacity for hard work were formidable assets that enabled him to get things done for his country and his fellow citizens of Alaska. It was a special pleasure to visit Alaska with him and especially to participate in his annual Kenai River fishing tournament which raised money for the preservation of that river and the unique beauty of its river basin. Alaska and our Nation have lost a great leader and a true patriot, and I have lost a highly valued friend. Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, it wasn't an hour ago that we saw the lofty formation of four jets flying in formation over the burial site of Ted Stevens. Then, just as it passes over the site, one of the jets heads up, breaks formation, and heads into the sky above the others. It is such a memorable moment. I have seen this now twice, this formation. It is so memorable for me on this particular occasion because it is about a man who is so memorable. Senator Ted Stevens served in this body for many years and is ``Mr. Alaska'' to this Nation's Capital and to many of the people in his home State. He is one of those soaring, towering figures who served in this body. He died at age 86 in a tragic accident, but he leaves a memory and a legacy that won't be forgotten. One of the things I find so endearing about the memory of Ted Stevens is his tenacity in his work and his belief in the body. This guy would fight tirelessly for his State, for his beliefs, and for this body. He did it for a lengthy period of time through a number of different administrations and was an institution in and of his own right in what he did. I know the Presiding Officer, who works in this body and has served in this body, is someone who remembers Ted Stevens similarly. I didn't realize some of the other aspects the Chaplain of the Senate talked about. There were about 6 years when Ted was President pro tempore of the Senate, so he would open the Senate every day. He would open the Senate, pledge allegiance to the flag, and then came the prayer. Senator Stevens at that time would go to the Chaplain and say: Let's bring up the prayer pressure, Chaplain--really urging him and us forward and to do things better and better for this country. It is a marvelous legacy to think about and to know about. One of the beauties of serving in this body--and this is my last year in this body--is the people you get to meet and get to know. One thing that is always so striking to me is that while we deal with policy issues all the time, it is the people whom you touch who are so important and so critical. I think too often we look at it as a policy debate when I think we really should be looking at people's relationships. I say that from the standpoint that we need to be better in working together. Ted Stevens had a beautiful relationship with Chairman Inouye across the aisle in the Appropriations Committee. It is often those relationships that get things done. People lament in leaving this body that it has gotten less civil, it is this or it is that. My analysis is that it has gotten less relational, and that is the real problem, is that people don't have relationships across the aisle with people whom they talk with and with whom they are friends. They disagree. They disagree on a lot of different things. They disagree probably on most things that are voted on. Yet when it comes to the end of the day and we have to get something moving and done, it is that relationship of trust and that here is a person who is a friend that you can work with is what counts. I think that is what we really need to look at much more, the relational needs. It is not something you can artificially do. It is something that has to take place over a period of time. It is something that has to take place over probably a period of a series of projects where, after a period of time, you say, you know, this is a person whom I can work with, whom I relate well with, and whom I trust. I think it is that trust that gets things done at the end of the day. It is that sort of thing you could often see in Ted Stevens. Whenever Ted Stevens gave his word, you knew it was going to happen. If he had any way of doing it, it would be according to what he said. I had a friend of mine who once said that when a man breaks his word, it breaks the man. You could look at Ted Stevens and the guy was consistent; if he said he was going to do something, it was something he would stand with, and that is a good trait. I bring these memories of Ted to the floor at a time when we have just witnessed the jet fly up toward the sky in memory of Ted Stevens and of his spirit and of his relational nature that he had within this body, with people he knew and who knew him, who trusted him and whom he trusted. I really commemorate that way of service, that time of service. I also commend to Members continuing in this body that we be a lot more relational and intentional about relating to one another so that we really look for those chances to do that. God bless you, Ted Stevens. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to the survivors, certainly, of that terrible plane crash that took Senator Stevens. Mr. REED. Mr. President, this afternoon at Arlington National Cemetery, this Nation laid to rest a great American, a great patriot, an extraordinary Senator, Ted Stevens. I had the privilege of serving with Senator Stevens for 13 years. In that time, he impressed not only myself but everyone with his deep commitment to his State of Alaska, to the Nation and, in particular, to the men and women of the Armed Forces. Ted Stevens began his commitment to service above self at the age of 19, when he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He became a pilot and at age 20 received his wings. Then he was deployed to the China-Burma- India theater, where he undertook some of the most dangerous missions any pilot had to face in World War II. He flew over the Hump. He flew supplies to Chinese nationalist forces, and he would frequently fly behind enemy lines to deliver his precious cargo and to keep that fight going. They would fly at night, and they would have to muffle the flights--their engines--to avoid detection by the Japanese. They would land and camouflage the planes, because they were in enemy territory, and then they would take another dangerous flight out in the evening-- to return again and again. That kind of sacrifice and service and courage is remarkable. Also, typical of Ted Stevens, it was not something he boasted and bragged about a lot. He just did it. That was one of the great strengths of Ted Stevens. He just did things he thought were right. When he returned to the United States, he attended college. He went off to Harvard Law School and became a lawyer. Although he had midwestern roots, he saw his future in the great State of Alaska. He packed up and went to Alaska, and Alaska changed him, but I suspect he changed Alaska more. One of the things I believe he felt very strongly about, having seen the great effort of World War II, having seen citizens come together from across this land from different communities, different ethnicities and races, to forge a unified effort to do a great thing, he was convinced that government could make a positive and important contribution to the life of his community in Alaska. He worked very hard. He worked hard to build roads, to build bridges, to literally bring together the people of Alaska. He supported consistently and enthusiastically the military forces--not just there but across the globe. He too served, and he knew what these men and women were doing and how important it was. Something also struck me, too, while I was at the services today. A gentlemen from New England came up to me and said, ``Hi, Senator.'' I wondered why he would be there. He was involved in the fishing industry in New England, and he appreciated what Senator Ted Stevens did for the fishing industry in Alaska, because he extended some of the same help to us in the Northeast. That was another thing about him. If he thought it was important enough for his constituents, he equally felt it [[Page S7579]] was important for all people. He helped all of our constituents, and he would do it in a positive way. I always found Ted Stevens to be somebody who was clear on where he stood. If he was with you, you didn't have to worry. If he was against you, you should worry. But he was consistent and honest. He represented the values we all appreciate--candor, honesty, and decency. Today, America has laid to rest a great patriot. To his family, our deepest condolences. But what he has done--and not just for the people of Alaska but for all of us--has left an example of patriotism, of diligence, of hard work, and of commitment to this Senate, which will sustain and inspire us in the difficult days ahead. For that, I thank him. Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to Senator Ted Stevens, a great American. Senator Stevens cared deeply for the people of Alaska, and all the people of the United States of America. He dedicated his career to the security and well being of this country, from his early days as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War II where he served multiple deployments across several continents, through his long career here in the U.S. Senate, as the longest serving Republican in the history of this institution. Ted Stevens was a brother and a dear friend. We were ohana, family. We worked together on so many issues to serve the needs of our noncontiguous States. Senator Stevens knew well the unique challenges both Alaska and Hawaii face, as the newest States, farthest from the U.S. mainland. Ted Stevens' love of Alaska is well known. But many people do not know Ted was actually a great surfer, and he was a frequent visitor to Hawaii. He loved to surf Kaimana Hila, Diamond Head, and Waikiki. When his surfing days were over, he brought his favorite surfboard here to Washington and displayed it in his Senate office, alongside the many treasures from Alaska. Ted loved Hawaiian music and song, and I enjoyed singing with him. Ted Stevens was a friend of America's first people. He constantly reminded the United States of its responsibility to its indigenous people in Alaska, Hawaii, and across the country. While the people of Alaska will always remember him, visitors to our Nation's Capitol will also be reminded of Ted Stevens' work. Together we were successful in moving the 1965 model of the Statue of Freedom out of storage and into its prominent place today in the Capitol Visitor Center Emancipation Hall. Ted Stevens brought strength and passion to the Senate for many decades. He was a constant presence in this institution. My wife Millie and I send our warm aloha and deepest condolences to Catherine and all of Ted's family. I also want to extend my condolences to Senator Stevens' staff who worked tirelessly for him and for all of Alaska for so many years. Aloha, farewell to Senator Ted Stevens. Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I rise this evening, as so many colleagues have done, to pay tribute to and remember one of the Senate's most enduring Members, the late Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who was buried today. For 40 years, Senator Stevens represented the people of Alaska in this body with zeal, with dignity, with intellect, and with strength. Ted Stevens came in a small package, but he was indeed a giant--a giant for Alaska and for the Senate. He helped to chart a course for America's 49th State and our entire Nation through his vigorous dedication and passion. As one of the earliest proponents of statehood for Alaska, Ted Stevens' legacy remains intertwined with Alaska's development. His pride in Alaska was unmatched. Fighting on behalf of Alaska, Senator Stevens was instrumental in developing America's energy policy and highlighting the incredible natural resources available in our own country. He saw the danger posed by a lack of energy security for this country, and drawing on Alaska's vast resources, he tirelessly advocated American energy independence. His work, including the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Authorization Act of 1973, created good jobs for Alaskans and helped supply the power America desperately requires to fuel our economic growth. A true American patriot who was concerned about U.S. security, Senator Stevens was determined that we maintain the ability to stand alone, if necessary, against the international forces of evil that plot our destruction. When it came to national defense, Ted Stevens demonstrated his commitment at an early age, long before his days in the Senate. I once heard Ted refer to the men and women of today's Armed Forces as ``the next greatest generation.'' He truly knew whereof he spoke. At 19 years of age, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, during one of the darkest periods in American history. Having seen combat, Ted Stevens knew what service, valor, and bravery meant, and he saw that in the courageous men and women admirably serving now. Retired Air Force COL Walter J. Boyne wrote a tribute to Senator Stevens that appeared in the Washington Post on August 11. I will quote excerpts from Colonel Boyne's memorable piece: At age 20, Lt. Stevens flew twin-engine transports ``over the Hump,'' carrying vital supplies from bases in India to the Chinese armies resisting Japan. On these often- unaccompanied missions, he had crossed the Himalayas; in Asia, the mountains were higher than in Alaska, the weather worse, and there was always the threat of a Japanese fighter plane showing up to dispute the passage. Boyne continues: Young Lt. Stevens was probably disappointed to find himself in the cockpit of a transport plane. He had completed flying school at Douglas, Ariz., earning his wings by May 1944, and probably expected to be assigned to Lockheed P-38 fighters. The urgent requirement for transports dictated otherwise, however, and he was assigned to the 322nd Troop Carrier Squadron, part of the 14th Air Force commanded by Gen. Claire Chennault. Boyne writes: While the route over the Himalayas demanded piloting skill and endurance, Stevens also flew many missions within the interior of China, some going behind Japanese lines, bringing supplies in direct support of Chinese troops. For his service, Stevens received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, which Boyne points out ``can be awarded to any member of the U.S. armed forces who distinguishes him or herself by `heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.' '' I ask unanimous consent that the entire article be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [From The Washington Post, Aug. 11, 2010] Ted Stevens: A Flier Who Faced the Risks (By Walter J. Boyne) The crash of a famed ``bush'' aircraft, the de Havilland DHC-3T Otter, near Aleknagik, Alaska, that killed former U.S. senator Ted Stevens, 86, on Monday brought to a close a life filled with the dangers of flying. Before Stevens began the career in elected politics that culminated in 40 years in the Senate, he left college to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. And in 1978, Stevens survived the crash of a Learjet at the Anchorage airport in which his wife, Ann, was killed. Stevens had long accepted the hazards of flight in Alaska as being part of the political scene. Doubtless he was one of the few people who could fly over the state's rugged terrain with serene confidence. He had often flown over far more hostile territory during World War II. At age 20, Lt. Stevens flew twin-engine transports ``over the Hump,'' carrying vital supplies from bases in India to the Chinese armies resisting Japan. On these often- unaccompanied missions he had crossed the Himalayas; in Asia, the mountains were higher than in Alaska, the weather worse, and there was always the threat of a Japanese fighter plane showing up to dispute the passage. For his dedication and heroism flying the Hump and other flights behind Japanese lines, Stevens was awarded the fourth-highest federal medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The ``Hump'' route had a more sinister nickname: the ``Aluminum Trail,'' for all the aircraft wreckage that glinted brightly when the sun made its rare appearances. American pilots began flying the 530-mile route in 1942, taking off from bases in India and Burma. In October that year, all of the transport units operating in the theater were brought into the 10th Air Force, by direct order of Gen. Henry H. Arnold, chief of staff of the U.S. Army Air Forces. The Douglas C-47 aircraft that were initially used strained to reach and maintain the altitudes necessary to clear the Himalayas. When the larger, more powerful (but more difficult to fly) Curtiss C-46 was introduced to the 322nd in September 1944, it [[Page S7580]] allowed slightly more margin for error. Yet the route took its toll: At least 600 aircraft and more than 1,000 lives were lost in the three years it was used. In 1945, airlift needs ended when the Burma Road, from Lashio, India, to Kunming, China, was reopened. Young Lt. Stevens was probably disappointed to find himself in the cockpit of a transport plane. He had completed flying school at Douglas, Ariz., earning his wings by May 1944, and probably expected to be assigned to Lockheed P-38 fighters. The urgent requirement for transports dictated otherwise, however, and he was assigned to the 322nd Troop Carrier Squadron, now part of the 14th Air Force commanded by Gen. Claire Chennault. The unit was based primarily at Kunming, the original home of Chennault's famous American Volunteer Group, the Flying Tigers. The 322nd was equipped with the C-47 ``Skytrain,'' which came to be known as the ``Gooney Bird.'' The C-47 had been derived from the revolutionary Douglas DC-3 transport and was used by the armed services until the 1970s. In September 1944, Stevens later recalled, he transitioned into the C-46, which after initial (and too often fatal) troubles with its Curtiss Electric propellers, turned into an aerial workhorse that substantially increased the capacity of the 322nd to move supplies. While the route over the Himalayas demanded piloting skill and endurance, Stevens also flew many missions within the interior of China, some going behind Japanese lines, bringing supplies in direct support of Chinese troops. Stevens often had to land at tiny camouflaged airports, some with primitive crushed-stone runways that were narrower than the wingspan of his plane. He flew throughout Indochina, over what is now Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, and even made flights into Mongolia. The 322nd was also tasked with bringing vital supplies to the small American fighter bases that had sprung up far from road or rail traffic. On one 1945 trip to Beijing (then Peking), Stevens encountered bad weather, and there was no local ground control to assist him. He improvised a non-precision approach using the local radio station and his plane's radio direction equipment. After the war, he returned and found that the approach he had devised was still being used. The Distinguished Flying Cross, first awarded in 1927 to Charles Lindbergh, can be awarded to any member of the U.S. armed forces who distinguishes him or herself by ``heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.'' While Stevens was also awarded the Air Medal and the Yuan Hai medal by the Chinese Nationalist government, he surely must have been most proud of his DFC. Mr. WICKER. Only 3 years before Senator Stevens earned his wings, Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr., of the Royal Canadian Air Force composed a poem after being struck by the sheer wonder of flying a test flight at 30,000 feet. This poem was sent home to John Magee's parents just a few days before his death. It is entitled ``High Flight.'' I will close with those words in remembrance of an American hero, Senator Ted Stevens: ``Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth ``And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; ``Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth ``Of sun-split clouds--and done a hundred things ``You have not dreamed of--wheeled and soared and swung ``High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there ``I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung ``My eager craft through footless halls of air. ``Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, ``I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace ``Where never lark, or even eagle flew-- ``And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod ``The high untresspassed sanctity of space, ``Put out my hand and touched the face of God.'' On August 9, 2010, Ted Stevens slipped the bonds of Earth one final time. He died, literally and figuratively, with his boots on, among friends, enjoying the rugged and dangerous beauty of nature and of the State of loved. We will miss his leadership and his friendship and the Nation will long be indebted to him for his lifetime of service. Mr. REID. Mr. President, Ted Stevens was as dedicated to his State as anyone to ever serve in this body. From his fight for Alaska's statehood to the four decades he represented that State in the U.S. Senate, he never forgot where he came from or who elected him. Although he set the record as the longest-serving Republican Senator in American history, his legacy is not measured by his longevity but by the indelible impact he had on Alaska. He made much of that impact during from his time on the Appropriations Committee, and I learned a lot from working with him there. He once gave me a necktie with a picture of ``The Incredible Hulk'' on it as a token of his appreciation for my work on an appropriations bill. It was his unique way of saying ``thank you,'' and it meant a lot to me. I still have that tie. Public service was more than a career for Senator Stevens; it was his life's calling. He served his country from halfway around the globe, fighting with the Flying Tigers in World War II, and served his State from clear across the continent when he came to the U.S. Senate. But no matter how far away from home, he always kept it close to his heart. Senator Stevens loved flying, loved the outdoors, and loved his State. He died doing what he loved, and his footprint will forever be visible across the Last Frontier. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________